A Golden Opportunity Amidst Challenges: Taliban's Call for Unity

The Taliban's supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, issued a message urging unity and support for Afghanistan's security forces, while downplaying internal rifts. As major infrastructure projects are underway, the message also tackled economic challenges and omitted the issues surrounding women's education.

In a rare message, the Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada called for unity in Afghanistan, urging citizens to back the country's security forces. This plea came ahead of the Eid Al-Fitr festival.

Notably absent from Akhundzada's address was any mention of ongoing attacks on civilians and internal Taliban tensions. He emphasized the significant development projects aimed at boosting the Afghan economy, describing them as vital for national progress and crediting them, perhaps controversially, to his leadership.

Despite references to education's importance, Akhundzada's speech notably ignored the prohibition of education for girls and women, a significant hurdle in gaining global recognition. Meanwhile, international aid cuts and internal controversies strain the Taliban's governance efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)